RHWPA

Main menu

Home

Confidence, pride and a great self-image:
Goals for all of our RHWPA riders!

I SAW A CHILD

I saw a child who couldn’t walk sit on a horse, laugh and talk Then ride it through a field of daisies and yet he could not walk unaided.

I saw a child no legs below sit on a horse and make it go through woods of green and places he had never been to sit and stare, except from a chair.

I saw a child who could only crawl
mount a horse and sit up tall
Put it through degrees of paces
and laugh at the wonder in our faces.

I saw a child born into strife take up and hold the reins of life. And that same child was heard to say, “Thank God for showing me the way….”

-John Anthony Davies

RHWPA INC. is a therapeutic horseback riding program that has helped children and young adults with disabilities for well over 30 years. It is run entirely by volunteers and funded exclusively by donations, fundraising, and grants.

Currently our program days are:

Monday 1:15 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday 3:30 – 9:00 p.m.

We have over 100 riders (ranging in age from three years to young adult; maximum age 18) participating in 45-minute therapy sessions.

Riding therapy first came to the United States during the 1950s. RHWPA was incorporated in 1979 and is one of a very few (of over 800 American centers) that is free to participants. To be able to continue, we depend on many fundraisers…and many volunteers.

A few hours a week is all it takes along with a willingness to learn to carefully monitor and assist our riders and horses as a sidewalker or horse leader. Experience with horses and/or people with disabilities is helpful but not necessary. We provide all the training you will need!